Bulgaria rejects bill that would have criminalized homosexual behavior

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Lawmakers in Bulgaria have rejected a controversial legislative amendment that would have criminalized homosexual behavior, including “coming out.”

The amendment to Bulgaria’s Criminal Code was proposed by nationalist party Ataka, and was swiftly seen as harsher than the anti-gay “propaganda” law in Russia, reported the Sofia News Agency.

The proposal would have provided for 1 – 5 years in prison and a fine of BGN 5,000 – 10,000 (approx $3,400 – $6,800 USD) for persons who “by organizing or participating in events, rallies and parades, or through the media and the internet publicly manifest their own or of other persons homosexual orientation.”